[ Click here to return to list of articles ] Hurricane Damaged Homes In Galveston Texas reconstruction facts and optionsNovember 18, 2008 Hurricane Damaged Homes in Galveston Texas Through the next several months trying to get your home, family and life back in order, you will be faced with demanding and disappointing challenges that may be a bit overwhelming at times. The fact is a very small percentage of people have ever been through or will ever go through anything of this magnitude in their whole life. This type of devastation will impose many new problems and obstacles that will come your way. Other than trying to settle you and your families home life, you have the burden of dealing with your Insurance Co. adjuster, a building contractor and that smelly mold infested house once called home. Here are a few facts and guidelines you may need to know that were compiled from United States hurricane damaged areas from 1992-2008. 1. The majority of the work that was performed to remove all the moldy or water damaged areas in the homes, were accomplished by non-skilled laborers. That is why it was done very quickly. 2. Out of all the workers that were here to fix the Hurricane Damaged Homes in Galveston Texas, there are only 12% of them that are professional roofers, carpenters, painters, sheetrock hangers and finishers that are working in this area under a legal licensed contractor. When you do the math with all the displaced people that need homes repaired, it will take 3 ½ to 5 years to put them back together. 3. If you still have not removed your wet furnishings or the mold from your home you can safely do so by yourself if you ware a protection mask to keep from inhaling mold spoors or you can hire a professional Mold Remediation Co. Remove everything that got wet even if it is dry now, furniture, Drywall, insulation, cabinets, carpet, wood flooring, and appliances etc; Wash all infected areas by scrubbing them down with mild soap and bleach including the wood studs and floors. Be sure to ware rubber gloves to prevent skin contact and chemical burns from the bleach. Open all windows and use fans if possible to dry your home out. Leave your home open as long as possible. 4. Before hiring a contractor it’s always a good idea to hire a home owner representative that can assist you in choosing the right contractor and making sure his license, insurance and documents are in order. He will also make sure the contractor stays on schedule and will make sure the work was completed before contractor asks for a draw. He may also help you hire the contractor to pull the necessary permits but use licensed sub-contractors to do the work that will save you as much as $6,000 to $12,000 off a $50,000 contract. A standard fee for a home owner representative would be 10-15% of the contract, but in most cases he can save you more than that in fees, additional accruing costs from the contractor and headaches. 5. After choosing a contractor, tell him to give you a proposal that breaks down each major job. When he puts in for his draw, you will now by looking at the proposal how much you will be expected to pay him by the work completed. Do not allow him to put in a draw request by using a % of work completed but rather jobs that were completed. This is just a slick way of them getting more money out of you than the work that they actually done. Make sure you ask him for a copy of his license for your area and his insurance. Stipulate a date on the contract that he must start the work and a date that he must be completed with the job. Make sure there is no out clauses that gives him the right to take more time than the date specified to complete the job nor an out clause that gives him the right to keep your deposit should he not start the work according to he date on the contract. Try to avoid giving him any more than 10% of the total job for a deposit. If he wants 20%, tell him you will give him 10% now to secure the contract and an additional 10% after he starts the job. That will keep him honest. The last thing is to stay involved with the process between the jurisdiction that is issuing permits and your contractor. Stay on top of the permits that are required and making sure your contractor is following municipal guidelines and procedures. There is nothing worse than an inspector showing up to find out your contractor did not pull the required permits for some of the work he already completed. These are some facts and guidelines that may help you with your reconstruction job and possibly make it a little more bearable. If you are dealing with Hurricane Damaged homes on the island and have decided not to deal with the headache of put back, there are investors that will purchase your home. Call Lee Heath for more information on selling or buying Hurricane Damaged Homes . 832-921-3001 For more information, contact us now! [ Click here to return to list of articles ]   Bookmark this website!

Website by Centerforward Web Services